Page 48 of Master Wolf

“Takeme—”

“Carry you,” Drew clarified calmly. “You’re not fit for another flight of steps tonight, Lindsay. You need rest—and to get that damned concoction off your arm.”

Lindsay sighed. “I’m not taking it off—”

“Yes, you are,” Drew said firmly. “You can’t keep wearing Wolfsbane every day and all night too. At some point, this is going to damage you beyond all repairing.”

Their gazes met. Neither of them said what they both knew: that Lindsay was well aware of that and had already accepted the inevitable consequences of his actions. The fact was, Wolfsbane was a strong poison, capable of killing even an old and powerful wolf quickly in a large enough quantity. Lindsay could only keep dosing himself like this for so long before the poison had a permanent effect on him.

Lindsay pressed his lips together, saying nothing. His expression was stubborn. Christ, he was wilful, Drew thought. Wilful and spoiled, even at near two centuries old.

But perhaps there was a way to get Lindsay to do what he wanted without fighting the point tooth and nail?

Drew lifted his hand and touched Lindsay’s cheek, making the man startle. Lindsay glanced at him with wide, wary eyes.

“One night, Lindsay,” he murmured. “Give your wolf a rest for one night, I beg you.Please. For me.”

Lindsay’s eyes were stormy and troubled, but after a few tense moments he sighed wearily, closing them. “All right,” he said. “Just for tonight. For you.”

He gave himself up to Drew then, growing pliant and easy, letting Drew slide off his coat and take his hat and cane. He didn’t even protest when Drew hoisted him up into his arms and started up the stairs.

Christ, he was light. He’d always been slender, of course, but this was something else. Drew remembered the first time he’d dined with Lindsay, back when he’d been human and he’d thought Lindsay was human too. Lindsay had astonished him with his appetite and the quantity of food he’d consumed. Now he felt as though he’d barely been eating.

“Let’s get you to bed,” Drew murmured, as they approached the upper floor.

Lindsay just sighed, but it sounded less impatient now—almost contented.

Drew headed down the corridor. He could have moved more quickly but he found himself slowing his pace. Stupid, but he wanted to relish this brief intimacy. The feeling of Lindsay in his arms, for once quiet and biddable. He didn’t know whether to love it or hate it.

Too soon they were at Lindsay’s bedchamber. Drew set Lindsay down on his feet and they went inside. Lindsay sat heavily on the bed while Drew went to the sideboard and lit some candles

Turning back, he asked, “Shall I help you undress?”

Lindsay nodded and struggled up to a sitting position. “Please.”

Drew reached for the knot that held the black silk sling in place, taking care to support Lindsay’s arm when the knot came free. Then, slowly, methodically, Drew undressed him, removing each item of clothing one by one and setting them aside to be put away later. When Lindsay was down to his drawers, he reached for Lindsay’s arm again and began to unwind the bandage.

“No,” Lindsay protested, trying to tug his arm free, but Drew held fast.

“I’ll be careful,” he said gently. “I saw what you did last time.”

At last Lindsay subsided, sitting passively while Drew unwound the first layer of bandages then waiting while Drew fetched scissors and muslin, snipped the rest of the bandages away and cleared away the dried remnants of the poultice.

His ulcerated flesh was red and sore and stained darkish green in places from the paste. As painful as it looked, though, Lindsay didn’t so much as wince as Drew washed and dried his arm, then carefully bandaged it again with clean linen.

“Where is your nightshirt?” Drew asked softly.

Lindsay chuckled. “I don’t sleep in a nightshirt—I don’t sleep in anything. Don’t you remember that much at least?”

“We haven’t shared a bed that often,” Drew replied mildly. “And the last time was years ago. Besides, you don’t seem as warm as usual.” He ran a finger over Lindsay’s unbandaged arm. “Look—gooseflesh.”

A tremor went through Lindsay at his touch and Drew swallowed.

“Wolves’ blood runs hot,” Lindsay said. His voice was a little hoarse. “The Wolfsbane suppresses that.” He smiled wryly. “I’d forgotten how cold humans get.”

“Are you cold now?” Drew asked.

Lindsay closed his eyes. Whispered, “I am always cold these days.”